December is made to stay inside soak up the twinkling lights, the smell of the cinnamon, the Christmas music playing constantly, baking non stop, crafting and creating beautiful memories that I so hope my children will tuck away in the happy folder of their brains.
We have been soaking it all up something fierce, staying in our jammies more times then I would like to admit, snuggling under blankets while watching yet another Christmas movie.
A few of my favourite Christmas things that we have been enjoying. (in no particular order)
#1 Christmas cards.
This is one of my all time favourites. Sitting down, preferably once the kids are in bed with a sweet treat, apple cider, and of course Christmas music. Thoughtfully addressing the envelopes and thinking about the sweet families that have touch our lives in so many ways. Even though we are all scattered all over the world - I hold sweet memories of all of them.
#2 Christmas themed finger painting.
This is one of the kids favourite things to do - anything with paint. Every year we scour good old pintrest and look for fun, easy, and effective finger paint ideas, and then we simply make it happen. Randomly one morning, around the dining room table.
A while back I found these bottle crafts at Target (in the dollar bin section - that is how they get me) They turned out to be perfect for the kids, on their level, everything all ready cut and ready to be peeled. It was an quick early morning craft that made everyone happy and content for the rest of the day.
Making snowflakes out of coffee filters is super easy and fun, the filters are thin enough that the kids and cut without trouble. This year we decided to paint some silver, for a variation, and Hayleigh and I like shiny and sparkly stuff.
#3 Making homemade decorations.
I started this little tradition when Ian was younger since I loved the idea of making things that you could re-use each year, and think back about those beautiful moments every year when Christmas decorating happens. This year however my heart was a little bit broken when we realized a ton of our originals got broken in the move - so we are somewhat starting over.
We made cinnamon ornaments and used this recipe.
We also made snow globe trees. All you need is a few glass jars, some bottle brush trees, and fake snow. Glue the trees to the inside of the lids, and boom! You have beautiful little snow globe trees. I love the way they look - stylish but not too much.
I love homemade Christmas tree decorations - I just love almost everything self-made or handmade. I found this little tutorial online to make little round Christmas ornaments with fabric, ribbon, pins, and foam balls. I had to improvise since I didn't have long pieces of fabric strips so I just wrapped the balls in some fabric squares and tucked the edges away. I think the still turned out cute, and we will be using them in the years to come.
#4 Nativity scene play.
I absolutely love our nativity scene, it is super kid friendly and my kids love playing with, I also don't have to tell them "be careful" every few seconds since it's not really breakable. It is a great tool for them to ask questions and figure out what Christmas is all about while engaging in play time. This little set is handmade all the way from Poland. It is one of the best investments I ever made.
#5 Christmas books.
It is no secret that we are book junkies in our house. Not a minute goes by during the day that someone is not actively readying a book, I love this about our family - we cherish books - curling up on the couch reading our favorites together. We do a book advent calendar in our house. Over the years I have collected so many Christmas classics and the kids are finally getting to the age of really enjoying these stories. They have free access to all our favorites and sometimes you will catch them sitting together nose deep in books.
#6 Cinnamon bread.
December days are the best days for baking. It is cooler outside, everyone wants to stay indoors more, the house if cozy with winter scents, and twinkle lights. Hayleigh and I decided to make some cinnamon bread - the kind that you knead out and then you let it rise, and then you knead it again, and form into a bread shape, and then you let it rise - the kind that requires work and endurance till the end. The kind that you start before the sun has risen, in jammies with a warm cup of tea, and music - always music.
Sadly some little fingers turned off the oven mid baking and I didn't realize it so our bread wasn't nice and tall - but it still tasted delicious.
It also made the best french toast the next morning.
#7 Hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate on a whim - is the best. Especially if you have all the supplies and capability to make it pretty. Because let's face it sometimes hot chocolate just have to look pretty to make it feel extra special and fancy (even if it just the powdered stuff). Lazy afternoons with a delicious warm drink is one of my most favorite moments.
#8 Popcorn - lots and lots of popcorn.
Come December one of out favourite things to do is watch Christmas movies - sometimes the same ones over and over. There is nothing more comforting and relaxing then curling up under a soft blanket, with a huge bowl of popcorn, and of course Christmas lights twinkling on the tree. We decided to make it a little more exciting with some awesome dollar bin scores at Target. Christmas popcorn containers. Yes, please!
Christmas totally snuck up on us so quickly this year, and I always have a million things that I want to do before Christmas every year, and sadly we only managed to get a 1/3 done - but that is ok - because I would rather do less and cherish the memories, then be rush to get it done, and everyone remember their crazy mother with a camera.
Since we have completely passed the baby phase of life (no more pacifiers, diapers, bottles, and boobs) this time of the year has been so much more fun. The kids are able to fully participate and all the actives, the can craft with little to no help, they get involved and excited, and let me just say that their excitement is contagious - and it motivates and energizes me.
We have enjoyed several special things this December, and added some of them to our little tradition bucket.
We have a few more gifts to wrap, stockings to hang, cookies to bake (for Santa), and it all makes me so happy and does put me in the best mood.
It is the most Wonderful time of the year!
Happy Christmas Eve Eve!
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